Ordnance.



W. 'D. SMITH.

ORDNANGE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1,1909.

1,007,743. Patented Nov. 7, 1911.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

W. D. SMITH. 01119111111011.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1,1909.

1,007,743.- I Patented Nov. 7, 1911.

WITNESSES INVENTOR W. D. SMITH.

ORDNANGE. v APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 1901 1.

.1,0O7,743. Patentd Nov. 7, 1911.

3 SHBETSSHEET 3.

wmhk 1 WITNESSES v INVENTOR (1.1mm. Q KQWM 1.1mm

COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH 60.,WASHINOTON D C UNIT WILLIAM D. SMITH, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

FTQE.

ORDNANCE. E

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM D. SMITH, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Ordnance, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of the breech portion of a gun equipped with one form of my improved apparatus. for flushing a gun. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on a line III-III of F i 2. Fig. 4 is a side elevation partially in section, showing the mushroom head advanced into position to open the ports to flush the gun. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view through the automatic valve. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the mushroom-head, the breech block and the gas check, showing one type of valve which may be used at the end of the inlet port. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the gun showing a different arrangement of the inlet port.

This invention relates to ordnance of the breech loading type which is provided with a mushroom-head, wherein it is customary to provide a gas check between the breech block and the mushroom-head to prevent the escape of gases rearwardly through the breech of the gun.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap and efiicient mechanism without materially changing the general type of guns now in use to flush the gun, after it has been fired and before the breech block has been moved.

Another object of my invention is to provide automatic mechanism which will automatically advance the mushroom head, by the recoil of the gun, to open a valve and admit pressure between the gas check and the mushroom head, to cool and flush the breech of the gun.

The precise nature of my invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which will now be described, it being premised, however, that various changes may be made in the details of construction and general arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, 2 designates the breech Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 1, 1909.

Serial No. 505,367.

portion of the gun, which is adapted to receive the threaded breech-block 3, of the ordinary type of gun.

4 is a mushroom-head having the spindle 5 which extends through an orifice in the breech-block 3. Surrounding the stem 5' and interposed bet-ween the mushroom head 4 and the breech block 3, is a gas check 6 of any well known construction. Mounted near the end of the spindle 5 of the mushroom-head is a collar 7, which is held from longitudinal movement on the spindle and is mounted so that the spindle may rotate within the collar. This collar is provided; with the annular groove 8, and 9 are ports or inlets which communicate with the annular groove 8 and extend inwardly through the stem 5 to a point slightly to the rear of the gas check 6, when the mushroom-head is in its rearward position as shown in Fig. 3. When the mushroom-head is advanced into the bore of the gun the ports will be in advance of the gas check, as shown in Fig. 4.

Surrounding the stem 5 and interposed between the collar 7 and an annular flange in the bore in the breech block is a coiled spring 10, which normally tends to hold the mushroom-head 4 against the gas check 6. Pivotally mounted on the end of the stem 5 by means of the trunnions 11 is a lever 12, one end of which is in engagement with a lug 13 in the cup shaped opening in the rear end of the breech block. The other end of this lever is in the line of movement of a hook 14 on the end of a rod 15 the other end of which is secured to a stationary portion of the gun carriage.

16, are guides for the rod 15 which are secured to the upper portion of the breech of the gun, and 17 is a coiled spring which surrounds one portion of the rod 15 and is interposed between a washer mounted on the end of this portion of the rod, and between the sides of the yoke 18 on the end of the other portion of the rod.

20 is a guide for the lever 12, and 21 is a spring catch which is secured to the rear end of the breech of the gun, and is designed to retain the lever 12 in its forward position, as shown in Fig. 4.

22 is a pressure pipe which receives pressure from any source of pressure supply and to which may be connected several plpes to feed oil or water which may be blown into the gun by pressure when the gun is flushed. The end of this pipe is provided with the Patented Nov. '7, 1911.

elbow 23 which forms a casing in which is seated the spring pressed valve 24, having a stem 25.

26 is a pipe which is connected to the collar 7 and lies between the guides 27 secured to the end of the breech of the gun.

80 is a cam secured to the breech of the gun and is arranged to be struck by the lever 12, in a manner hereinafter described.

In Fig. 6 I have shown the end of the port 9 closed by means of a pivoted drop valve 28, and when the mushroom head is advanced into the gun, the pressure in the port 9 will open the valve and allow the pressure to enter the bore of the gun, and when the mushroom head is drawn toward the rear, the valve 28 will be closed by engagement with the inner ring of the gas check. By the use of this valve, all danger of clogging the end of the port 9 by means of material worn away from the gas check by frictional contact, is overcome.

In Fig. 7 the pressure port 9 leads through the breech block and enters the bore therethrough at a point slightly to the rear of the gas check. The spindle 5 of the mushroom-head is provided with an annular groove 9 of sufficient width to overlap the gas check 6 and the opening of the port 9 when the mushroom-head is advanced to the position shown in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 3 the parts of the gun are shown in the position they are in prior to the firing thereof, and as soon as the gun is fired the recoil will throw the gun to the rear and the hooked end 14 of the rod 15 will draw the lever 12 into the position shown in Fig. 4, and the latch 21 will engage the lever 12 and retain it in this position. This rearward movement of the gun will bring the end of the pipe 26 into the mouth of the elbow 23 of the pipe 22, and the grilled end in the pipe 26 will strike the valve stem 25 of the valve 24, and push it to the rear to open the valve 24 and allow pressure from the pipe 22 to enter the breech of the gun, between the gas check and the mushroom head, through the pipe 26 and the ports 9 in the stem of the mushroom-head and flush the gun. The breech block is now rotated to the left, the lever 12 is withdrawn from behind the spring catch 22, which will release this lever and allow the spring 10 to force the mushroom rearwardly, if this stem should be ammed, the lever 12 will strike the cam 30 during the rotation of the breech block which will withdraw the lever 12 and the mushroom-head to the position shown in Fig. 3, the pipe 26 will be disengaged from the elbow 23 and allow the valve 24 to close to shut off the pressure from the pipe 22. After the breech block has been rotated the required distance, it is translated to reload the gun. After the gun has been loaded the breech block is inserted into the breech of the gun and is rotated to lock it therein and return the parts to the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, preparatory to the next firing. The spring 17 which is interposed between the two members of the rod 15 is of suflicient strength to draw the rod 12 to the position shown in Fig. 4, any further rear ward movement of the gun due to the recoil thereof is taken up by compressing the sprlng.

In the case of a misfire the gun is usually left for a predetermined time before opening the breech block to allow any sparks to die out before removing the breech block to avoid back-firing, which is caused by the opening of the breech block and exposing the lingering sparks to a current of air which will fan them into a blaze and explode the charge rearwardly, and endanger the lives of the gunners. In case of misfire the lever 12 may be advanced into the position shown in Fig. 4, and if compressed air is used to flush the gun the air will fan any lingering spark into a flame and discharge the gun, and if the gun is not discharged, water or any liquid which would distinguish any lingering spark may be injected into the gun before the breech block is removed. By the use of this arrangement the gun need not remain idle for any time in case of a misfire, as the breech can be flooded so as to positively extinguish any lingering spark.

The advantages of my invention result from the provision of means whereby pressure may be admitted between the mushroom head and the gas check to cool and flush the gun, and to keep the gas check cool, before the breech-block is rotated to unlock the gun and thereby avoid flarebacks. Also in the provision of means to advance a mushroom-head after the gun is fired to allow pressure to enter the bore of the gun between the mushroom head and the gas check. Further in providing means whereby the mushroom head is advanced automatically by the recoil of the gun and which is locked in its advanced position until the breech block is rotated to remove it to load the gun, and also in the provision of means whereby pressure is automatically admitted to the breech of the gun when the mushroom-head is advanced.

I claim:

1. In a gun, a breech block, a mushroom head, having a spindle extending through the breech block, a fluid inlet port controlled by the mushroom head, means to supply Fluid under pressure to said port, and a pivoted lever to slide the mushroom head in a direct line to open the port to flush the gun; substantially as described.

2. In a gun, a breech block, a mushroom head having a spindle extending through the bore of the breech block, a gas check between the mushroom head and the breech block, a fluid inlet port, said spindle and breech block forming a closure for the port when the mushroom head is in its rearward position, means to supply fluid pressure to said port and means to advance the mushroom head into the bore of the gun to open the port; substantially as described.

3. In a gun, a breech block, a mushroom head having a spindle extending through the bore of the breech block, a gas check be tween the mushroom head and the breech block, a fluid inlet port, said spindle and breech block forming a closure for the port when the mushroom head is in its rearward position, means to supply fluid pressure to said port and means controlled by the recoil of the gun to advance the mushroom. head into the bore of the gun to open the port; substantially as described.

4-. In a gun, a breech block, a mushroomhead having a spindle extending through the bore of the breech block, a gas check between the mushroom-head and the breech block, a fluid inlet port, said spindle and breech block forming a closure for the port when the mushroom-head is in its rearward position, a lever connected to the spindle of the mushroom head, means to supply fluid pressure to said port and means controlled by the recoil of the gun to operate the lever to advance the mushroom-head into the bore of the gun to open the port; substantially as described.

5. In a gun, a breech block, a mushroom head having a spindle extending through the bore of the breech block, a gas check between the mushroom-head and the breech block, a fluid inlet port, said spindle and breech block forming a closure for the port when the mushroom head is in its rearward position, means to supply fluid pressure to said port, a lever to advance the mushroom head into the bore of the gun and means to lock the lever when the mushroom-head is in its advanced position, substantially as described.

6. In a gun, a breech block, a mushroom head having a spindle extending through the bore of the breech block, a gas cheek be tween the mushroom head and the breech block, a fluid inlet port, said spindle and breech block forming a closure for the port when the mushroom head is in its rearward position, means to supply fluid pressureto said port, a lever connected to the spindle of the mushroom head, means to move said lever to advance the mushroom head into the bore of the gun to open the port, and a spring catch to lock the lever when the mushroom head is in its advanced position; substantially as described.

7. In a gun, a breech block, a mushroom head having a spindle extending through the bore of the breech block, a gas check between the mushroom head and the breech block, a fluid inlet port normally closed when the mushroom head is in its rearward position, means to supply fluid pressure to said port, a lever connected to the spindle of the mushroom head, means to move said lever to advance to the mushroom head into the bore of the gun to open the port, a spring catch to lock the lever when the mushroom head is in its advanced position, and a cam to return the mushroom head to its normal position when the lever is released from the latch; substantially as described.

8'. In a gun, a breech block, a mushroom head having a spindle extending through the bore of the breech block, a gas check between the mushroom head and the breech block, a fluid inlet port normally closed when the mushroom head is in its rearward position, means to supply fluid pressure to said port, a lever connected to the spindle of the mushroom head, yielding means to move said lever to advance the mushroom head into the bore of the gun to open the port, and a spring catch to lock the lever when the mushroom head is in its advanced position; substantially as described.

9. In a gun, a breech block, a mushroom head having a spindle extending through the bore of the breech block, a fluid inlet port closed by the breech block when the mushroom head is in its rearward position, means to supply fluid pressure to said port, and means to advance the mushroom head into the bore of the gun to open the port; substantially as described.

10. In a gun, a breech block, a mushroom head having a spindle extending through the breech block, a fluid inlet port controlled by. the mushroom head and breech block, means to supply fluid under pressure to said port, a lever pivotally connected to the spindle of the mushroom head, and means controlled by the recoil of the gun to operate the lever to advance the mushroom head into the bore of the gun to open the port; substantially as described.

11. In a gun, a breech block, a mushroom head having a spindle extending through the breech block, a fluid inlet port controlled by the mushroom head, means to supply fluid under pressure to said port, a lever pivotally connected to the spindle of the mushroom head, a spring catch to lock the lever when the mushroom head is in its advanced position, and means to advance said lever to advance the mushroom head into the bore of the gun to open the port; substantially as described.

12. In a gun, a breech block, a mushroom head having a spindle extending through the bore of the breech block, a fluid inlet port closed by the breech block when the mushroom head is in its rearward position,

means to supply fluid pressure to said port, means to advance the mushroom head into the bore of the gun to open the port, and a spring arranged to hold the mushroom head in its rearward position; substantially as described.

13. In a gun, a breech block, a gas check, a valve having a spindle extending through the gas check and an opening in the breech block and in contact with the walls of the opening in the breech block, a fluid inlet port arranged to be opened and closed by the movement of the valve, the valve being arranged to compress the gas check when the gun is fired, means to supply fluid pressure to said port, means to advance the valve into the bore of the gun to open said port, and a spring arranged to return the valve to its rearward position; substantially as de scribed.

14. In a gun, a breech block, a gas check, a valve having a spindle extending through the gas check and an opening in the breech block and in contact with the walls of the opening in the breech block, a fluid inlet port arranged to be opened and closed by the movement of the valve, the valve being arranged to compress the gas check when the gun is fired, means to supply fluid pressure to said port, means to advance the valve into the bore of the gun to open said port, and a spring surrounding the spindle of the valve arranged to return the valve to its rearward position; substantially as described.

15. A gun having a removable breech block, means for admitting fluid to the gun through the breech block, a valve for controlling such admission, actuating mechanism for opening the valve'before the breech block is unlocked, and a device arranged to engage the valve actuating mechanism to close said valve when the breech block is unlocked; substantially as described.

16. A gun having a removable breech block, means for admitting fluid to the gun through the breech block, a valve for con trolling such admissions, valve actuating mechanism for opening the valve before the breech block is unlocked, and a cam arranged to shift the valve actuating mechanism during the unlocking movement of the breech block to close the valve; substantially as described.

17. In a gun, a breech block, a mushroom head having a spindle extending through the breech block, a fluid inlet port arranged to be opened and closed by the movement of the mushroom head, means to advance the mushroom head before the breech block is opened, a latch device arranged to latch the mushroom head in its advanced position, and a cam arranged to retract said mushroom head during the unlocking movement of the breech block; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM D. SMITH.

Witnesses J ESSE B. HELLER, H. M. CoRwIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

